George Smith returns to ACT Brumbies for rest of Super Rugby season

FORMER Wallabies star George Smith is returning to Australia to rejoin the Brumbies for the rest of the Super Rugby season.

A veteran of 110 Tests, openside flanker Smith will arrive later this week to take up a short-term contract after helping his Japanese club Suntory to their fifth title on Sunday.

He remains contracted to Suntory but is available for an off-season stint - something he did with French club Stade Francais last year.

The 32-year-old will bolster a strong Brumbies backrow that already boasts his Wallabies No.7 successor David Pocock.

Smith, who played 128 games for the Brumbies before heading overseas following the 2010 season, will be available for selection in the Brumbies' next match - against the NSW Waratahs on March 9 in Canberra following a bye this weekend.

"George's record and ability to win games is outstanding," Brumbies coach Jake White said.

"The guy has won Super Rugby Championships, he's won big games for the Wallabies and he's played in a Rugby World Cup final so I want him to bring that winning culture back here to the Brumbies.

"This year we've been trying to bring back some of the old attitudes and ways of thinking that made the Brumbies such a success in the early days."

White said the return of former Wallabies winger Clyde Rathbone was part of that strategy.